Princess Mononoke (VHS, 2000)

Stunning visual and emotional impact and great entertainment combine in this 1997 offering from Hayao Miyazaki and the fine animators of Ghibli Studios in Japan. Miyazaki wrote and directed this one, and it rises above expectations for an anime feature film! Miyazaki uses historical references to bring his characters to life.

The story takes place in Japan during the Muromachi Period, which is considered to be the transition period between the medieval period and the early modern period. It is notable that the power of the shoguns greatly declined in this period. The landscapes which fill the film "Princess Mononoke"* are said to have been inspired by the ancient forests of Yakushima, off Kyushu, and the mountains of Shirakami-Sanchi in northern Honshu. (*mononoke is not a name, but rather the Japanese word for spirit or monster)

Ashitaka (our hero) is a young Samurai from a tribe called the Emishi, which were originally natives of northern Honshu, that had been resisting subjugation by the Japanese emperor for centuries. (In real history, the Emishi were defeated by the Samurai of the Yamato Clan, which proceeded to become the rulers and government of the Empire). The Emishi survived by going into hiding, around the Northeast part of Honshu, Japan's largest island. By the year 1300 A. D., the Emishi were completely integrated into Japanese society. (However, Ashitaka supposedly comes from a tribe of the Emishi that had resisted integration and still lived in exile.)

Princess Mononoke follows the journey of the last Emishi prince, Ashitaka, and his attempts to make peace between humans and the creatures living in the surrounding forest.

The film begins with Ashitaka saving his village from assault by killing the demon form of the boar god "Nago". During the fight, Ashitaka receives a demon mark on his sword arm, and he is cursed with the Boar's hatred and pain. Ashitaka is told by the village wise woman that the mark will spread throughout his body, eventually killing him. A ball of iron is found inside Nago's corpse, which is somehow connected to the curse. Iron is mined in the lands to the West, and so Ashitaka resolves to journey to Nago's origin, the lands to the West, to try and find a cure for his curse. He cuts his hair, signifying his permanent separation from his village, and he then rides out on his loyal red elk, Yakul.

Rich with fantastic characters and a great storyline, "Princes Mononoke" will keep you spellbound and guessing until the very last moments of the film. A great movie for kids and adults. I highly recommend it.